We finally left old San Juan and are currently in the city of Humacao. We have found that most freeways have tolls. The first day we got the car, we drove around and came to a toll. There is no way to get off the freeway and you must pay cash. Well, neither of us had any cash. So now we have 5 days to go back to that toll to pay the dollar fifty (I have no idea where it is at. Maybe somewhere in Fajardo).
So we got another guest house in Humacao. The place is called Barefoot Travelers and it is in a gated community, about 4 houses away from a private beach and a park. We have a pool here and can use body boards, beach towels or kayaks whenever we please. It is 58 dollars a night and in my opinion well worth it. There is an island the locals call “Monkey island” which is about an hours worth of kayaking away from here. Apparently some ivy league school left monkeys there to do research on them. They don’t actually recommend going on to the island (apparently the monkeys bite). But it could be worth the ride just to look at them from the water.
Here is all the info if you need a place to stay in Humacao, Puerto Rico:
call Keysha at 787-850-0508 or email her at tshg@coqui.net. They also do Hang gliding lessons at that same number.
Yesterday we went to my job interview at a print shop here in Humacao. Went pretty good.
My interview is on Monday at the print shop out in Humacao, which is about 40 miles from here, so we had to rent a car.
This city is driver friendly, the public transportation here sucks. Pretty much everyone drives where ever they go.
We found a guesthouse to stay at there called barefoot travelers. And we will have that place for about 3 days. And we did rent a car to drive out there. I’m hoping the shop I interview at will call me back to let me know if I got the job within those three days. I would like to know if I got the job within those very same 3 days. Any advice on making sure I get the job?
Yesterday we went out to the beach in San Juan. We split a cab with Laurence and Ray (our neighbors at the guest house in old San Juan). Ended up being around 5 bucks. We have noticed that the cost of living out here is about the same as in Utah.
And last night we went to this night club in this random alley. Pretty much you walk up, order your drink, and hang in the alley. Actually it was a really cool place with fairly cheap drinks. We have found that any mixed drink with rum is about half the price as everything else. So I guess I will be drinking a lot of Puerto Rican Rum.
While standing outside we noticed another bar with neat-o graffiti on the side.
We ended up going inside and a local musician was playing. Nice place, and plenty of salsa music.
Old San Juan is very pretty. Almost seems like Spain or something. However, There is so much tourism here and all of the bars and restaurants are so expensive. Its wearing on me fast. At least today we wandered out of old town to the beach and that was nice.
Yesterday we went and saw El Morro. Which is the main fort on the other side of the city.
We have found that the locals are very friendly, and willing to help in dire situations. Yesterday we had a hell of a time trying to locate a bus schedule. When we stopped at a gas station outside of old San Juan, we had about 3 people telling us where to go. One asked us if we needed a ride. One found us later on the streets and told us which way to go.
A lot of cruise liners port out of old San Juan, So you see many American tourists. And here in Old San Juan, there is everything from Wallgreens, to Payless shoe stores. It is very Americanized.
Although most of the locals here do speak English, I am afraid to talk to them in my language. For fear that they won’t speak it. I guess right now I know how it feels to be in America and not know English. However, I am trying to learn the local language . Once we left old town, we found that not as many people speak English, and it is harder to communicate with people.
(The walls of old San Juan)
Top 3 reasons to stay at a guest house in old San Juan:
- You meet ridiculous people.
- You get to share a bathroom with everybody.
- It’s like one big happy family, Even the owner came and had drinks with us and our neighbors.
(We found this random garden. I thought it was somebody’s backyard.)
Since our flight left so late (12:20 am) I did not sleep much on the plane. It was so uncomfortable, and thats what I get for not buying first class. Damn them and their hot towels!
We finally arrived here in San Juan at about 2:30 pm (est) and I am soo beat. But I really want to see old San Juan. So we walked around for a bit when we finally got to our Guest house. (Which by the way is totally awesome. Right down town.)
(view from our balcony)
(one of the many old forts built around the 1600’s near where we are staying)
By the way, I am moving to San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 9th. I will be documenting all of the coolness of old San Juan. Many pictures coming your way.
I will have my phone on me, only I won’t be able to answer. You can leave a message and I will call you back. I will also have the IM (msn,aim). So send me a comment and I will buddy you. See you in digital.
(insert picture of me waving from an airplane here)
